A World Worth Protecting

1

Wang Baole felt slightly embarrassed as he held onto his voice transmission ring. After muttering a few words, he left the great halls of the Alchemy Pavilion hurriedly and headed for the Sect Lord’s pavilion located on the mountain peak of the Upper Academy Island.

When he arrived, he saw the Sect Lord deep in meditation. He observed the look on the Sect Lord’s face. He wisely didn’t mention the name “Little Zhao” and instead, sat beside the Sect Lord. He began to ask about the matter of his Core Formation realm cultivation technique.

“Baole, the Ethereal Dao College has seventy-nine complete cultivation techniques for the Core Formation realm cultivator. They are divided into grades A to D accordingly. There are seven Grade As, nineteen Grade Bs…” The Sect Lord gave Wang Baole a look, then pulled out a jade slip and handed it over.

Wang Baole’s eyes brightened as he took it hastily and began reading.

The jade slip didn’t document the detailed cultivation process of the various techniques, but briefly listed the pros and cons of each technique. It had information on complete techniques and incomplete techniques with missing information.

After a while, Wang Baole began to frown slightly. The seventy-nine complete techniques seemed extremely ordinary. Even the seven Grade A techniques didn’t seem very impressive. They couldn’t compare with his Dark Art, nor could they compare with the Lightning Dao: First Volume.

There were two that seemed all right, but the first, the Way of the Mist, seemed to focus more on speed and the ethereal. It was the principal cultivation technique of the Ethereal Dao College and was the technique that a majority of the Core Formation realm Elders practiced.

It didn’t seem to suit Wang Baole though. Firstly, his was a Lightning Core. Secondly, he had developed his unique fighting style since he had begun his cultivation. It was an overpowering style that was at odds with the inherent essence of the Way of the Mist.

The other technique was the Art of Enlightenment that had partly been created by the Grand Supreme Elder. Wang Baole immediately disregarded it after a glance. He had no intention of becoming one of the Dao Enlightenment faculty.

As a result, he was faced with a challenge in his choice. There were a few good options amongst the incomplete techniques, but they were missing information and wouldn’t be the most ideal choice.

The techniques that Wang Baole had read about in the Dark Dream had all been related to the Dark Art. Those that had nothing to do with the Dark Art were all techniques meant for the Spirit Immortal realm and beyond. Wang Baole began to frown.

“Sect Lord, I practiced the Lightning Dao: First Volume when I was at the Foundation Establishment realm. Isn’t there a Lightning Dao: Second Volume?” Wang Baole didn’t continue with his second question… if there had not been one, why had they allowed him to practice the first chapter?

“The Lightning Dao was acquired from a shard found within the college’s Lightning Domain. Of course we have the second chapter.” The expression on the Sect Lord’s face remained unchanged. He pulled out another jade slip from his storage bracelet and handed it over to Wang Baole. Inside the jade slip was the Lightning Dao: Second Volume.

Wang Baole read through it, and doubt appeared on his face. He raised his head and looked at the Sect Lord. Since they did have the Lightning Dao: Second Volume and it seemed like a pretty impressive technique, he didn’t understand why the Sect Lord hadn’t given this to him at first.

The Sect Lord could sense Wang Baole’s doubts. He shook his head and sighed.

“Baole, we originally planned for you to master the Lightning Dao: First Volume, and then, when you reached the Core Formation realm, you could have continued with the Lightning Dao: Second Volume. Even though we don’t have the last chapter, we believed that, should you one day reach the Nascent Soul realm… it wouldn’t be difficult for you to relearn another technique.

“However, no one expected that you would reach the Core Formation realm so quickly and show such power. That’s why… even though the Lightning Dao: Second Volume is a powerful technique, it isn’t the best one for you. In fact, it might even affect and hinder the progress of your cultivation and your fighting capabilities!

“That was why I hesitated and didn’t immediately hand this to you.”

Wang Baole had a contemplative look on his face after he listened to what the Sect Lord said. He placed the jade slip containing the Lightning Dao: Second Volume down and turned towards the Sect Lord. He must have discussed this with the Grand Supreme Elder before speaking to him. They must have come to a decision regarding his cultivation technique.

“The cultivation techniques of the Ethereal Dao College can be considered the best in the Federation. But that’s only in the Federation. Based on our assessment, if we are to compare them with the techniques of the great cultivation civilizations, they might be seen… as obsolete and outdated!”

“The techniques with true value are the incomplete ones. But it is difficult to unleash their true worth…” The Sect Lord smiled when he saw that Wang Baole remained calm and wasn’t flustered or agitated.

“However, as one of the Federation Seedlings, in the near future, you might have the chance to acquire… a cultivation technique that surpasses those found in the Federation!” At that juncture, the Sect Lord lifted his right hand and pointed vaguely at the sky.

Wang Baole narrowed his eyes immediately and lifted his head. Outside, in the sky, piercing through the midday sun, was the soul-shaking ancient greenish-bronze sword!

A clearer picture began to form in Wang Baole’s mind as he consolidated what the Sect Lord was talking about with what the Grand Supreme Elder had said earlier. This meant that… the Federation Seedlings Initiative was about to formally commence. Operation Sword Sun and the endeavor to land on the ancient greenish-bronze sword was about to be rolled out as well!

The Federation had been able to advance to a cultivation civilization just from acquiring the shards of the ancient greenish-bronze sword’s hilt. The resources and cultivation techniques that could be found on the ancient greenish-bronze sword itself would present unimaginable opportunities for any cultivator of the Federation!

“You can hold on to the Lightning Dao: Second Volume first. If possible… I’d still wish for you to practice a technique that befits a true prodigy. At least you won’t lose out to the young ones from the countless civilizations in the universe!” the Sect Lord said earnestly. He stared at Wang Baole hopefully. There were some things that he wasn’t saying, and that the Grand Supreme Elder hadn’t said as well. Regardless, the whole Ethereal Dao College had reached the same consensus.

Wang Baole was going to be the rising hope of the Ethereal Dao College. He was going to follow in Li Xingwen’s footsteps and become one of the future pillars of the Ethereal Dao College.

Wang Baole might not have known about this common understanding that the upper echelons had arrived at, but he had been able to get an inkling of what was happening during this visit. After some careful consideration, he kept the Lightning Dao: Second Volume and bade the Sect Lord farewell. Just as he was about to leave, the Sect Lord said casually, “Baole, I’m not sure if the Grand Supreme Elder has told you this, but don’t return to Mars first. Stay in the sect… this is because he is reaching a breakthrough!

“He will be the first person on Earth to attain a breakthrough from the Core Formation realm and enter the Nascent Soul realm. When that happens, representatives from all the political forces will be here. Based on his assessment, at the moment of his breakthrough, an alarming amount of Spirit Qi will be drawn to him. This will be an opportunity for all our disciples.

“Especially for those of us at the Core Formation realm. This is a chance for us to draw lessons from the experience and gain enlightenment!”

Wang Baole’s pupils contracted when he heard that. He wasn’t surprised to hear that the Grand Supreme Elder was approaching a breakthrough in his cultivation. He had already seen signs of that. But he had been surprised when the Sect Lord said that he would be the first person to enter the Nascent Soul realm.

“The first?” Wang Baole asked immediately. He distinctly remembered what had happened after the Mercury tragedy. Even though he had been away in seclusion, he had tuned in to the Federation President’s speech and had heard about the Nascent Soul realm elder who had been searching the Solar System for the extraterrestrial cultivators.

“That’s right. The first… Earthling!” The Sect Lord gave Wang Baole a meaningful look. It was as if he had certain concerns about divulging more details while on Earth. He didn’t elaborate.

The hints he was giving were extremely explicit. Wang Baole wouldn’t have been able to become a Secondary Rank Two Noble in such a short period of time if he couldn’t even discern the implicit message. Almost instantly, his eyes flashed. He came to an answer that didn’t really surprise him that much.

<em>This Nascent Soul realm cultivator might have come from… the ancient green-bronze sword! </em>Wang Baole narrowed his eyes as he pondered. After a moment, he cupped his fists and saluted the Sect Lord. Then, he turned and left.

Wang Baole took a walk in the campus after leaving the pavilion. He had a faint smile on his face and would greet his junior brothers and sisters as he passed them by. Any other time, he might have teased them a little as well, but he had something on his mind today. He might not have learned much during this trip back, but he was still able to gather quite a number of clues.

<em>This Nascent Soul realm cultivator from the ancient green-bronze sword probably harbors no ill will towards us. Else, with the Federation’s current capabilities, it would be difficult for us to fight back against him…</em>

<em>It’s still very interesting though. There was no news after the Federation announced the Federation Seedlings Initiative. Now, just after there’s been a breakthrough in Master Zhao’s Anti-Spirit Bomb research and when the Grand Supreme Elder is about to attain a breakthrough in his cultivation…</em>

<em>Only now, do they have the intention of activating the Federation Seedlings Initiative… </em>Wang Baole narrowed his eyes. He might have some clues, but it would be challenging to pin down exactly what was going on if he thought this through normally. However, if he used what he had learned from the high officials’ autobiographies, then suddenly… everything seemed to make much more sense.

As Wang Baole continued to immerse in his thoughts, he suddenly heard a roar filled with excitement and agitation rumbling from a distance away. Countless gasps of awe and surprise rang out and interrupted Wang Baole’s thoughts.

Wang Baole recognized the familiar roar. He lifted his head and immediately saw a giant winged Diamond Ape bursting out from the clouds in the sky and charging towards him.

“Diamy!” Wang Baole laughed out loud, seeming happily surprised. He took a step and leaped into the air, flying towards the Diamond Ape.